Thai PM Visits US: Thailand wants to return to normal relations with US

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Thailand and the US used to keep close relations. But that changed after the 2014 military coup. What does Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha's meeting with Donald Trump mean for relations now? CGTN's Martin Lowe has more.

MARTIN LOWE BANGKOK Perhaps what's most significant about the meeting between US President Donald Trump and the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, is that it took place at all.

The military regime here will point to this as evidence of their legitimacy as a government.

As head of the Thai army, Chan-o-Cha staged a coup three years ago overthrowing the civilian government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Miss Shinawatra has fled Thailand but in her absence has just been sentenced to five years in prison for negligence in office.

At the time of the coup, Barack Obama was US president. He put a freeze on relations with Thailand, calling for a swift return to elections.

But since Mr. Trump became president many see more emphasis on practicality than any policy to only engage with democratic leaders. In fact Mr. Trump talked about the two countries long friendship, and made no mention of military rule.

What the two leaders did talk about was trade. At the moment Thailand exports far more to the US than the US exports to Thailand - an imbalance of 19 billion dollars a year. Mr. Trump wants Thailand to buy more US goods.

Mr. Trump also wants Thailand's help with issues like sanctions on the DPRK. There are a number of DPRK businesses operating in Thailand. In turn, Thailand wants a return to full, normal relations with the US – and US investment.

It also wants to purchase military equipment. Thailand had a deal to buy US Black Hawk helicopters, but that was put on hold because of the coup.

Those who want to see an end to military rule are disappointed the meeting took place. They want the US to take a stronger lead in demanding a return to democracy in this country.